You Don't Say?!

Revelation: sarcasm is in no way helpful to the receiver. And—truth be told—it really isn’t helpful to the one delivering it … not in the long run.

You may have already known this, but it’s a relatively recent revelation for me (Aimee). And it has been life altering.

My family has, without question, been the largest receivers of my overflowing sarcasm for … well … all my life. Sarcasm has been more than a second language to me. It’s been a native tongue. I’ve spoken it without hesitation time and time again. It has flowed very naturally. And, yes, there has been many a time when I’ve been aware of the fact that it flows quite naturally with most of my family, but that isn’t an excuse.

 

I found myself thinking of passages like Philippians 4:8,

“… brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Does sarcasm fit in there? Uh … nope. It may be true at times, but that’s it.

 

Or perhaps, to grab a few phrases from the “love passage,” 1 Corinthians 13:4a and 5a says,

Love is patient, love is kind … It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered …

So, love is clearly not sarcastic. In fact, it just might be the opposite.

Since I became fully aware of the totally and completely unhelpful nature of sarcasm I have been putting great effort (and lots of prayer) into attempting to break this very bad habit. I’ve been equally surprised to discover that the answer has often been to simply keep my mouth shut. Instead of trying to be witty, but really being rude or hurtful, I’ve thought about my words before I speak them (I know … who’d have thought that that  would be a good idea, right?!). I’ve been a better listener rather than running off in my head with my inner sarcastic monologue, and it’s changing my attitude.

I’m fighting less with my family. Much less, in fact. It isn’t as if fights were happening every day, and when they did, they generally didn’t last long, but that was because we were making through with tough skins, rolling things off our shoulders … but that’s really not how family should be with each other. OK, it’s not how any people should be with each other.

So, I’ve chosen the alternative to sarcasm … being considerate. I’m not always successful, but it’s getting easier. And it’s definitely making a difference.

What about you? Is sarcasm your native language?

If so, I encourage you to turn to your heavenly Father for help in breaking this destructive habit. Then come back here and share with us how your life is changing for the better. Cause I guarantee it will.

Stagnation

A student in my (Aimee’s) youth group made the comment a few months ago in a small group that she felt like her spiritual walk had plateaued. She was sure that she had been growing, and she still believed, and she still prayed, and she was still reading her Bible, but she felt like she had stopped growing and was leveling out. More than this, something inside of her was telling her that this was not good.

 

So our small group talked about it. 

 

Is it even possible to level out? Is it bad, normal, or ok? Should she continue on as usual or did she need to do something different?

 

I’m not going to get into everything that we talked about, mainly because there was a good amount that was very particular to her and may be different for different people. But there were a few things that I shared that I feel are truly and applicable to all people. So I want to share with you …

 

Calm water is deceptive. You may think it’s great, but do you know what happens to water that sits till for very long?

 

It becomes stagnate. It becomes a breeding ground for all kinds of parasites, fungus, and general scum of all kinds.

 

So too, it can be deceptive when you are cruising along thinking that all is good in your spiritual life because things are “calm.” When in actuality it may mean that all is calm on the surface and all hell is breaking loose (perhaps literally) just underneath the surface.

 

Leveling out in your growth toward God is an illusion. There is no happy plateau to be reached in our walk with God. The joy and pain and growth comes in the walk; not in the coasting. 

 

What it comes down to is that either your growing closer to God or you’re not. 

 

Do you understand what that means? Really understand? It means: either your growing closer to God or farther from God. Your growing to look more like Jesus, or your growing stagnate. One or the other. No middle ground.

 

I’m happy to be able to say that the same youth who was worried that she had leveled out in her growth has since then reported that she has broken out of her funk and that she is growing again. Prayer (her own and that of others who care for her) was a major factor in this battle.

 

If you’re growing stagnate, prayer is your best weapon to break out of your own personal funk. Pray and ask others to pray for you. And never allow the enemy to convince you that you’ve topped out or leveled off and you can’t grow anymore. 

 

Growing is a lifelong process.

 

 

 

Confrontation

Let's just jump right in, shall we?!

In today’s society it is totally acceptable to tell someone that they’re fat if you claim that you’re doing it because you’re concerned about their health.

 

In today’s society it is totally unacceptable to tell someone that they’re a sinner even if you claim that you’re doing it because you’re concerned about their spiritual health.

 

Does anyone else see a problem with this besides me (Aimee)?!

 

I’ve even personally experienced this. The negative side of both, unfortunately. 

 

Almost 10 years ago I began putting on weight. It was a mixture of different things all coming together to mean that I packed on almost 100 unnecessary pounds. And I wasn’t even 30 years-old yet (not that it’s ok when you get older). I had a few very well-meaning people come to me near the end of my weight-gain period to tell me that they were concerned about my health. In the last few years I’ve been working on trying to bring my weight back down. It’s a struggle. And it’s slow work. But it’s happening. By God’s grace, His strength, and the support of friends and family, I am mercifully shrinking.

While it wasn’t fun to hear those people tell me that I was getting alarmingly fat, I understood why they did it. And I loved them and respected them for stepping out of that comfort zone that tells everyone to simply accept and not question—I’m sure you know that zone, I know I do—and tell me their concerns.

Around the same time that I was coming to the end of my weight gain period, I made comments about my concern for someone’s spiritual health. The details aren’t important, and since it’s someone else’s life I’m not going to share them here. The point is that there were things I was seeing consistently that were raising red flags in my head. So I said something out of loving concern. 

 

I was told that I was just being a goody-goody, I just don't know how to have fun, I'm a stick in the mud, and so on and so on...

 

Why is it ok to say something when someone is throwing away their physical health with both hands but not when they’re throwing away their spiritual health?!

 

Which has eternal consequences?! Well ... both. Yes, it’s true. You’re physical state is important., but it’s importance lies in your state of heart and mind that is allowing you to throw your health away. Let me try to explain.

 

Paul says that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16 and again in 6:19-20). Jesus Christ died so that you “may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b). You were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). God has no desire for us to throw away the life that He has given us to live here on this earth. When we neglect our health because we’re not considering His plans for us, that’s very, very bad.

 

However, God cares most about the state of our hearts and minds. In 1 Samuel 16:7 it says:
 

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’”

 

Hence, our physical health matters. But our spiritual health matters more. When we neglect our health for selfish reasons, we're ignoring God's plans, and that's bad. When we neglect our spiritual health for selfish reasons, we're ignoring God's plans, and that's bad. My selfish consumption of food is not better or worse than another’s selfish consumption of anything that takes their attention away from where it rightly belongs: on God!

 

“… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God …” (Romans 3:23)

 

I want to encourage you to talk to people when you’re concerned about their spiritual health. But be warned! It's likely that 9 times out of 10 it will not be received well. At least not at first. I also caution you to do it very carefully and with lots and lots and lots of love.

 

Galatians 6:1 says:
 

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently.”

 

 

Remember

Like anyone else who was alive and old enough to understand what was going on, I (Aimee) remember where I was when I learned about what was going on in New York on September 11, 2001. I remember how I spent that day. I remember the emotions that ran through me as I watched everything unfold on the tv. I also, (and perhaps more clearly) remember the lack of emotion as I watched and thought about how unreal it all felt, thought about how helpless I felt, thought about so many things that all I wanted was to stop thinking and so I became numb.

 

I remember. I don’t think that I will ever forget. I don’t think that I could forget if I tried. But as  friend of mine posted on her Facebook page today, someday all of us who were alive and remember will be gone and there will be no one left who really remembers. That’s how life works. That’s how it’s always gone for every major catastrophe and atrocity throughout history.

 

Therefore, how can we continue to say: “never forget”?

 

Someday it will be forgotten. New generations will learn about it, but that isn’t the same thing. Just as when I read about World War 1 or 2, they aren’t my memories. I acquire the information, and I can work to make sure I don’t forget the information. But that isn’t the same.

 

So, why do we continue to say: “never forget”?

 

When we say “never forget,” it isn’t a call to dwell on the past, to focus on the memories, to relive them and shudder. 

 

It isn’t an angry call to remember the harm done to people and to our nation as a whole, to refocus hate on whoever we think the enemy is.

 

It is a call to remember the sacrifices that were made so that today and tomorrow and for the rest of our lives we can live lives that honor those sacrifices.

 

It is a call to remember that in a dark, dark day of our history, people stepped up to help, to serve, to protect, and to comfort. Friends and strangers. Those who were trained and whose who were not.

 

It is a call to remember that even in darkness there is light at the end of the tunnel when we pull together and lean on God.

 

Just as we are to live everyday honoring the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. That was a very, very dark day. Evil truly believed that they had achieved a victory. And while it was painful, we can now look back on it and see the brightest of lights that is at the end of that tunnel.

 

When we remember Jesus’ sacrifice, it isn’t to dwell on the pain, it isn’t to be angry at those who crucified Him, it is to remember to live lives that honor that sacrifice, it is to remember that with our focus in the right place (on God) we can get through anything, it is to remember and focus on the Light when we pull together and lean on God.

 

 

Thank you, God, for the sacrifice of Your Son.

Thank you, Jesus, for enduring the pain we all deserve.

Thank you, Lord, for creating and inspiring people who risk their lives for our greater good. I suppose it’s just another way that You created us in Your image.

Lord, bless those who still suffer, allow them to see the Light that they might have joy once again.

God you are good.

Amen.

 

 

 

What do YOU think?

I know that I've (Aimee) talked about forgiveness before … but this time I want to ask you some questions about it.

The DJ on the Christian station I was listening to as I headed home was talking a little bit about forgiveness. He said that he was looking at a book about forgiveness on Amazon and that he read a review that bothered him. In the review the woman was putting down the book because she said that we are actually only supposed to forgive those who are sorry, and that the rest don't deserve our forgiveness. The DJ said that he immediately thought of Jesus' words on the cross: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 and Mark 11:25).

 

The station went back to music after that. When the song ended, a caller was asking what the DJ thought about forgiveness then if he disagreed with the woman’s comments.

 

His response was, "Well, I think that you give up your right to be angry with someone."

 

Personally, all of this really resonated with me. But I want to know what you all think.

 

Do you agree with the DJ or with the woman?

What are your thoughts about forgiveness?

Attack

Recently, I (Aimee) watched as several different friends underwent spiritual attacks within about 24-hours of each other. After the first night, everything that had happened was (obviously) running wildly through my head. I knew that she was ok, but my brain would not slow down. I was exhausted, but God was speaking to my heart and I just had to get up and write it down.

 

So, here's what I came up with ...

 

When we become Christians, we are inviting an attack. When we open our Bibles, when we pray, when we evangelize, when we go to church...

 

We are standing and saying to the enemy that he may attack, but he cannot win. We invite attack not because we are confident in our ability to defeat the enemy or to repel his attacks. We invite attacks because we are confident in the ability and power of our Savior, Who has already repelled the attacks, defeated His enemies, and given us life in Him.

 

We invite attack because we are already victorious through Jesus Christ.

 

It's my hope that this word will encourage you, as you step out into this world and face struggles and temptations. We can take heart knowing that our God is stronger, and that we are already victorious! Own that! Know the truth of it in your head and in your heart and you'll never despair.

 

As Jesus says in John 16:33b:

          "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!

          I have overcome the world."

 

 

 

 

 

dear friend...

 Recently, I've (Sherann) been writing to my friend who's currently out of the country.
I had written her an email in the hopes of letting her know that I was thinking of her and praying for her while she was away. And I was thrilled to hear back from her the following day. 

I  responded back with a greater appreciation for the internet; though it can be both a blessing and a curse, in this case it has been a huge blessing. Okay, so it's not rocket science to know this and i'm always on the internet writing emails to other people, but I had a greater appreciation for our technology. My friend and I were able to connect. 

This caused me to take a step back and look at my relationship with God.  You see, my friend and I use the internet to communicate, but when we have a personal relationship with God, we have direct access to communicate with Him.  Too often we neglect to talk to Him, or we presume that there's a list of "to do's" before we can talk to God or even hear from Him. 
If this is the case for you, let me set the record straight.

There is absolutely nothing you can do (so no one should boast) or should do (faith is not works based), but receive His free gift of grace.  There's no cost to you because the payment has been paid, in full by Jesus.

See, our mediator, Jesus Christ, ("Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant." Hebrews 9.15a) died in our place so that what was once broken (relationship with God and man) because of sin, could now be restored by the covering of Jesus' blood. He paid our debt, ("For the wages of sin is death..." Romans 6.23) which could only be covered by death ("He entered once and for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." Hebrews 9.12) but now, we have life ("... but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6.23). A life that we get to spend in eternity with God--the Creator of the universe, the God who made the land and seas, the God who created us fearfully and wonderfully. We, don't have any barriers, whether technology or waiting lists to go through.  We, by the grace of God, have complete and direct access to communicate with God because Jesus has become our way for us. ("Through him (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."Romans 5.2)

Now imagine when you write to a friend and your friend responds back to you. I'm sure you'll experience the same excitement I had when I heard from my friend. And sometimes I wonder (this may just be a tiny scratch on the surface) how God must feel when He hears from His children. I'd say… overjoyed.

soli deo gloria

Real Freedom

Today we talk about freedom. We use that freedom to relax, to hang out with friends and family, to eat too much (for some to drink too much), and to generally just have a good time.

 

There’s isn’t anything necessary wrong with having a good time (the drinking too much part would raise some major concern from me, but otherwise). 

 

Our country as we know it began with men and women who came here so that they could worship God the way that they thought He wanted, rather than worrying about making a king happy by worshipping the way that was dictated to them. Every new group that came was seeking religious freedom. Look it up! It’s true. There were Congregationalists, Presbyterians, Quakers … they were all striving to serve God over and above serving an earthly king. They had been persecuted in their home countries, so they came out here.

 

Our country has changed a lot since then. In both good ways and bad. But today, I want to remind you of Paul’s words in his letter to the Romans.

 

When we (or anyone) are living without God, without knowing His Son, without having His Spirit inside of us. Then we’re dead. We may not know it. Others may not recognize it. We’re zombies; animated flesh without a beating heart or a living soul.

 

When we accept Jesus and we’re baptized, Paul says:

“ … don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-5)

 

We gain life through His death:

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.” (v.6-7)

 

Without Jesus’ saving blood, we are slaves to sin. There’s no question about this. It’s a fact. The only master we serve when we’re separated from God is sin. And the world is a slave right along with us. A slave has no power to free another slave. Only one who is free has such power (Harriet Tubman had to gain her own freedom before she had any power to help free other slaves).

 

Jesus, being fully God, had the power because—even though He was also fully human—He was never a slave to sin (Hebrews 4:15). He died so that we could live. He died to free us from bondage to sin. And that’s a greater freedom than anything that the world can offer us.

 

Paul says:

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (v.22-23)

 

The world tries to tempt us with what we can have right now. Immediate satisfaction. Immediate gratification. Immediate maybe, but very, very temporary. And definitely limiting. Because if we choose the world and what it has to offer us right now, then we give up what Christ has offered us for eternity.

 

Today, celebrate the freedom that you have living in America. Celebrate that we have freedom of religion, and freedom of speech, and many, many other freedoms. Celebrate that you can freely gather with those you love without suspicion. Celebrate that you have (or will have when you’re old enough) a right to vote for your leaders, and that your vote matters. Celebrate all those things that make America great.

 

But don’t forget Who it is that really made America great. Who it is that inspired our founders, emboldened them, guided them, and protected them. And remember where your allegiance ultimately lies as you remember who it is that offers you paradise for eternity, instead of just “paradise” for right now.

 

 

 

 

Dear God, what's your plan for my life?

<--- that's how I (Sherann) look when I wonder about His will :) jk.





The story behind this post

After I get off work, I make it a point to go for a run.  I usually run about a mile and as I run, I pray.  Pray for people God has put on my heart or for the homes I pass by.  Anyway, as I was running yesterday I started to think about God's will (perhaps it's because I've been listening to a sermon series on this) and words just flooded my mind. When I got home, I got out my phone and started to type away.  So here's what I scribbled.

Dear God, what is Your plan for my life?

I don't know about you, but  I've asked this question ALL the time! I asked my spiritual leaders, professors, and pastors to help me discern God's path for my life. And as I look back, I noticed that this question would pop up when I'm at a crossroads or when I'm not enjoying my current job or field of study. In other words, when I'M NOT satisfied this must not be "God's will" or "He must be closing the doors." Do you know what I'm talking about? If you do, this is what I concluded... 
When did "feelings" ever dictate Gods will? Here's the truth... feelings come and go. It does not sustain.  Or perhaps you're in a season where you're wondering what to do after graduation or should I take this position? so you ask... 

"hey God! What's your plan for my life?!"

After so many years of asking and seeking, let me save you the trouble and answer this question for you. 

Ready?

Know Him.

Before you close your browser or stop reading this, just bare with me for a second.

We (unfortunately) focus so much on expecting God to reveal His plans with arrows or signs that point to "work here" or "go to this school" that we disregard who we are asking this question of. What if... 

God told you to go to India and spend the rest of your life there? Go to a junior college first and then transfer? Or take a position that offers less than your previous employer? And what if... you, my friend, didn't agree with what God revealed to you (after all you asked, right?)  You would start rationalizing this and say, "God would never send me there or to work for this company." Why? You asked and God told you where you need to go. Why would there be a sudden hesitation? My guess... because you never stopped to seek Him and know Him and His heart for you. How can you expect God to lead you when you don't even know His character? It's all too easy for us to sit back and wait for God to just hand over His plan without us having to do anything.  Meaning... you never bothered to pick up His Word or get on your knees in prayer.  

And what if... you and I started to know Him, to love Him and His Word?
 

"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."- Jeremiah 29.13
 

Going back to my previous scenario... if God called you to India or to a junior college... Your attitude and your response would be different BECAUSE you believe in faith that no matter where God puts you, He will use you to make much of Him. As faithful followers of Christ, our goal is to point others towards Christ.  It's never about us.  It's all about Him.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3.30

  So what does it matter if you work at a fast food restaurant or sit in a cubicle? The question we should be asking is am I making much of Christ in my school? work? when I'm with my co-workers?

You know, if God always revealed His plan every time we asked... the scary part is that we wouldn't need a Savior.

So let me end with this. If you are asking this question today, get to know Him. And as you do, you will find that it's not the location or job that should take precedent, but your character that bleeds Jesus.

 

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of The Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3.17)

soli deo gloria

Make a Difference

So, this isn't the way it's supposed to be. Life here is not ideal. We have to be open to change. Change isn't always bad.

 

So, I ask you, what changes are you making? What difference are you making in your little bit of the world? Because believe it or not, you never know what a big difference a small difference can make, unless you make it.

 

Many people have died and been injured from different events this week just here in the U.S., let alone what happens around the world on a daily basis. Are you praying? Are you donating time or money to organizations that can help those in need? Have you made an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross? Or organized a donation with your church?

 

In the wake of such blatant disregard for the preciousness of life, have you resolved to be kinder to those around you? Are you taking every opportunity to be loving? Are you working to remind those that feel like they have no hope that our hope is not in this world? Are you being comforting? Are you being Jesus for those who need Him most?

 

Want to think smaller but still important? Ok. It's about to be Earth Day. Are you caring for the earth as good stewards of God's property? Are you recycling everything you can? Are you reminding others to recycle? Are you planning to go out a support an earth friendly cause this weekend? Or to educate yourself some more on how to be earth friendly? God cares about the earth. Do you?

 

Start with prayer. It's a great place to start because it's powerful, it's free, and you can do it anywhere.

 

Remember:

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:16b-18)

And if you want to make a difference, but you don't know how, then you now know what to pray for!

 

What difference are you making?

Share it with all of us here?

 

What's your story?

 

 

 

change

I (Sherann) hear it quite often.  Change.  It's one of those words that can either bring you hope or shivers down your spine.  I hear people say they don't like change, but they know it's inevitable.  Change will come.  Sometimes you are ready for it and often times it comes when you least expect it.  And whether you want change or not, let me just break the ice before you read on.  Change will come.
But think back for a moment and look at all the changes that took place in your life.  And because of change you are where you are today.  Personally, who knew that a bay area girl would move to the valley. (seriously, right?)  I prepared for that and as I look back, i'm grateful for that change.
But on the other hand, I wasn't prepared for my mom to unexpectedly pass away.  It will be four months and I still haven't fully grasped this whole grieving process.  People have been telling me that I will need to adjust to the "new" normal.  In other words, change is on the horizon and I need to adjust my life towards this "new" direction... a direction without my mom.  I get that.  I understand that.  I'm working to get there.
PERHAPS, even at this very moment YOU, my friend are going through changes or change is on the horizon.  Whether you are graduating from high school/college, career choices, moving to another state, etc... I would like to share with you one truth that has kept me going.

Ready?

Whatever "change" you may be facing, you and I can hold onto this truth:

My God.. YOUR God... does NOT change.  Can you just let that wash over you right now?  Our God does not change in the midst of what you are going through.

Hebrews 6:17-18 (The Message):
 "When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)
"If we are faithless, he remains faithful."

I am grateful that God is an unchanging God and I can trust His promises to be true.
Today, I hope that you are reminded of His unfailing love and faithfulness.   Face your change with God before and behind you.

Because He lives... I can face tomorrow
Because He lives... all fear is gone
Because I KNOW... He holds the future
and life is worth the living just because HE LIVES!

 soli deo gloria

Not the Way it's Supposed to Be

Today's tragedy in Boston is just another reminder that this world is not the way that it's supposed to be.

Sin has a strong hold on humanity. The enemy holds no regard for human life. And his power over many is very strong.

In this time of despair and sadness, as individuals and families are suffering, we need to pray for those who are suffering, and we need to remember the love of God and the hope that we have in His Son, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to turn this tragedy, this weapon of the enemy, into an opportunity to share God's love and hope. To shine His light into the darkness. To remind those who are confused, that while God allows evil to exist, it is only for a time, and it is only because we (humans) chose it over good at times. This is not the way it's supposed to be. And it's not the way that it will always be. Praise God! This is not the way that it will always be!

Acts like this are just proof that we need a savior. Which means that it is the perfect opportunity for you to share Jesus with others. This hurting broken world needs Jesus now just as much as it ever did.

Be His light in the darkness of this world. Be His hands and feet to those who are suffering. Remind them that they are not alone and that there is hope.

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55)

The tomb is empty! And it isn't empty so that we can sit in it and marvel at the fact that it's empty. It's empty so we can go out and share the news with those who are suffering that death has been defeated and that our God has done, is doing, and will do great things!

Go out and tell them!

 

 

 

Wounds

My (Aimee’s) God-daughter got a splinter in one of her toes.

 

And she didn’t tell anyone.

 

She’s almost 4.

 

We’re not sure how much time had passed before her mom noticed it. But at that point, the wound was black, and the skin around it was inflamed—red and a little puffy. And definitely tender.

 

We explained to her that we needed to get the splinter out. We also told her that it would probably hurt while trying to get it out, but that if we left it alone it was going to get worse and start to hurt more and more. She wasn’t happy to hear any of that, of course, but she nodded and let us get to work.

 

She sat on my lap while her mom and my mom worked on her toe. She was very brave. Although it hurt and she cried some, she didn’t kick or fight, she never asked them to stop, she let them do what they needed to do. Then my mom put some antibiotic and a band-aid on and we told her that next time she gets a splinter she needs to say something right away so that we can deal with it immediately, because then it wouldn’t have hurt so much. Within a minute or two after that, her tears were completely forgotten and she was laughing at something on the television.

 

Why am I sharing this story?

 

A couple of days later I was listening as a friend unburdened some stressful/painful memories. She explained that she has only recently come to understand that she needs to really deal with certain things from her past so that she can heal instead of allowing those wounds to continue to get worse. Then, I shared with her the story about my little one’s splinter.

 

See, emotional wounds are like physical wounds. If you ignore them—trying to pretend they aren’t there or hoping that they’ll heal on their own—they fester (which means “to rot”). If you fiddle with the wound to attend to it, it will probably hurt. It might even hurt a lot. But it allows the healing to begin. The longer that it’s left alone to fester, the more painful it will be when you finally deal with it. Or, if left completely unattended, it will continue to fester and begin to spread.

 

Do you see it now?

 

God has no desire for you to be one of the walking-wounded. He can help, if you let Him. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

When we turn to Him we can find the healing that we need. No matter your burden, He can take it away. He created the universe, He created you, He can handle anything you want to throw at Him. Turn to Him and give your burdens to Him and learn how to walk with Him. When we walk in His will, we find that the “burdens” He places on us aren’t even burdens at all. He makes our lives easier by giving us the right perspective (I’ll give you a hint: it’s all about Him).

 

Go talk to your Christian friends, elder members of your church, your pastor … there are, no doubt, many people in your life who can help you deal with your wounds so that you can begin healing. They’ll point you to God’s truth, and your life will never be the same again!

 

Go ahead, try it out and see.

 

 

 

carry me

A lot has been going on in my (sherann) life.  To be honest, I'm going through a rough season.   I won’t go into details, but I’ve shared one of my personal thorns.  My OCD has been a constant battle.  Yesterday, for example, was an all time low and I even came to a point of saying… “why! Why me?! Why can’t I go back to being normal?! God, please take this away!”  Thankfully, I have friends and my brother who graciously listen to me while I have my episodes. (I’m sure they think I’m nuts, but still love me anyway) 

Anyway, I called Aimee and just basically said… “Why doesn’t God just take this away from me?” Conclusion? Don’t know.  To be honest, I don’t know when or even if He will take this from me.  At the same time, I HAVE to TRUST that God has this issue in the palm of His hands.  I’m constantly battling this and I’m not going to lie… it’s hard.  Along with everything else going on in my personal life, I feel absolutely overwhelmed.  And maybe you feel overwhelmed as well.  Life seems so hard and difficult.  I know… I’m in the same boat as you.

BUT. (yes, here comes the “but”…)

I know… no, as a matter of fact I BELIEVE that even though our circumstances may change, we have a heavenly Father who does not change.  When I read the scriptures, I am reminded of who He is and for that reason I can trust Him.  I can trust that He is out for my good. 

Why?

Because He loves me.  He loves you. 

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4.10 (ESV)

I know He loves me.  And no matter where I am or where you may be in this season, I hope you will join me in receiving the Father’s love.  And truth be told... it doesn't matter if you are a baby believer or a faithful follower for 50 years.  Point is this... the cross is our continual defense and a reminder that even through life's deepest valleys, the Father never recants His love for you or for me.  And that's why we can call Him faithful.